Arthur didn't hesitate. As soon as he felt the bindings that were holding him to the bed give, he jumped to his feet, tearing away the gag at the same time. He was forced to press a hand against the bedpost for a split second in order to maintain his balance, but determination cleared Arthur's head far quicker than anything else would have done. He looked around the mess he had made of his room, realising that his fears had already started to come true. He had lashed out because he was sure that Merlin was in trouble from Acrotus, that the man would do something to him. Now he knew that was the case.

Crossing the room, Arthur wrenched open his door violently, yet found that he was checking the corridors almost carefully. Neither Acrotus nor his men were in sight, and swallowing, Arthur took a step into the hallway. For the first time in a long while, the burn on his shoulder was hurting again, a mocking reminder that although he might have overcome the pain for a while, he was still branded, he was still marked in the way that Dunran had desired. Even dead, the man was still present in Arthur's life. In a way, he knew that he shouldn't have been surprised that there was no one there to stop him from leaving – Acrotus had wanted Arthur to go to him, after all.

What was troubling the prince more, however, was what the man had said about Merlin. He didn't just want the servant as a way of getting to Arthur, he had wanted him for something else. What on earth could a sadistic, twisted man such as Acrotus want with Merlin? Since the rescue, Arthur couldn't deny that he was seeing his servant in a new light – not only was the man incredibly patient and gentle when he had to be, he also had no qualms about standing up to the king in order to make sure that he could stay by Arthur's side. He also had no concerns about telling Arthur off if he felt that the prince was not helping his own recovery. He had become so much more than a servant, so much more than even a friend. Arthur honestly didn't know what he would do without him right now, not realising that he was confirming Gaius' fears about him becoming too reliant on Merlin.

What Arthur did know, however, was that he was no match for Acrotus. Not if the man's guards were there, he would barely even be able to take a step into the room before he would be overcome and defeated. No, he needed someone who could stand a chance, someone who Acrotus wouldn't dare go against.

He needed his father.

It had been a very long time indeed since that thought had passed over his mind, yet Arthur knew it to be true. All he had to do was accuse Acrotus of sorcery and the man would be arrested. He might not be immediately executed thanks to him being of noble birth, but it would give Arthur enough time in order to get Merlin away. Not to mention that he knew that should he mention Acrotus' name in connection with the hell he had been through, his father's fury would be enough to have any man running cover. His mind made up, Arthur began to head towards the throne room, certain that would be where he would find his father.

It didn't matter how good Arthur thought his plan was, nor how convinced he was that it would be enough to free him from Acrotus once and for all. What he hadn't banked on was the fact that the noble might have been expecting him to take that course of action. Technically, Acrotus had bought Arthur, he had come to get to know him rather well during those months of captivity. He knew that Arthur's only thought would be trying to help Merlin, and that the prince would be able to judge the situation in such a way that he knew that he wouldn't stand a chance on his own. Therefore rather than letting Arthur go to the king, risk everything and possible forfeit his life in the process, Acrotus had just sent his men.

As soon as Merlin had lost consciousness, the man had gestured to his guards and they had silently melted away. Arthur might not have been able to see them when he had checked the corridor, but that was only because they were hidden from view. They had been just around the corner the whole time and as soon as they had heard the prince's door open, they had moved to intercept him. Most of the corridors towards the throne room were main ones, it was a route Arthur walked often and therefore knew well. But there was one passage, one short-cut that he always took where the lighting was not so good and there would be no guards causally walking past on a patrol. Acrotus had been busy during his time in the castle and had managed to find that fact out for himself.

Arthur turned off the main part, his mind racing as to what he was going to say to his father. He knew that he couldn't just go around accusing people with no proof. But as of yet, he didn't have that proof. But he did need his father to act swiftly if he was going to have any chance of saving Merlin. He didn't notice the two shadows almost invisible against the wall until they suddenly peeled themselves away. One blocked the way back to the main corridor whilst the other stopped Arthur from moving any further forward.

"Stand aside." Arthur ordered, eyes glinting in the dim light. He knew precisely who they were, but could only hope that addressing them with the voice of the prince rather than a scared boy would make them think twice about what they were doing. Acrotus had made him suffer for far too long, there was no way Arthur was about to do let the same thing happen to Merlin.

"You're going the wrong way, Sire."

"Get out of my way before I kill you." Arthur snarled, in no mood for mind games. Too long had he spent at the mercy of these people, this was his turn to fight back now. In one fluid movement, he drew his sword, grateful that the thought had entered his head before he had run out of his room in a hurry. The guard in front of him scowled but drew his own weapon, and by the small snick that came from behind him, Arthur knew the second had done the same. Taking a careful step to the side, he made sure that he was no longer in between them. The narrowness of the corridor meant that they wouldn't be able to both attack at once, therefore the fact that it was two against one didn't really matter.

Without warning, both guards lunged at the same time, but Arthur was ready for them. He had been training ever since he was able to hold the weight of a sword again since his release, and now more than ever he was determined to be the best warrior. He wasn't going to be taken like that again, and deciding to put that practice to use, Arthur fought back. He wasn't just acting in a defensive mode, he was pressing the attack. Very slowly, the trio inched back towards the main corridor as blows were traded and they circled each other. But constantly moving, Arthur knew he was making it hard for them to co-ordinate their attack without hitting each other.

"You know the penalty if we fail, right?" Arthur blinked, faltering ever so slightly as the two guards addressed each other. They had always been mocking, cruel even, yet there had been a note in the man's voice then that made him sound almost fearful.

"I'm not going through an experience like that again, I can't take it." The other muttered. The first nodded in agreement.

"I would rather die." They continued to fight even as they spoke, and Arthur found half of his mind trying to work out what they were talking about and the other half making sure that he wasn't the one killed. They shared a long meaningful look and the prince swallowed. He was more than well practised in giving and receiving silent commands and messages, and knew full well they had just agreed on something. Before he could question what – or even try and find a way of bribing them out of coming after him if they were that scared – the man who had first spoken lunged forward. Arthur didn't even have time to step back, didn't have time to do anything…

Yet the man didn't attack. Instead, he simply impaled himself on Arthur's sword, causing the prince to yell out in horror. Whatever it was that Acrotus had over these men, death was a better option. Who had that sort of power? His breathing coming fast, Arthur moved back, but the wall was directly behind him.

It was only then that he realised what they had done. He had no movement in order to pull his sword free, and as the second man swung his own blade, Arthur was forced to let go in order to duck away. By killing himself in that manner, the guard had made sure that Arthur was disarmed. Backing down the corridor, the prince kept a wary eye on the remaining man, knowing that he was at a severe disadvantage. If they were prepared to die in order to avoid failing Acrotus, then nothing he offered him would come anywhere near tempting him to just let Arthur go.

"What does he do to you? I can help…" The prince knew that he had to try though, he was running out of options as the man performed a complex manoeuvre that put him in front of Arthur once again. Unable to go either way down the corridor, Arthur backed up against the wall, eyes looking for a way out. Even as he tensed, preparing to run, the edge of a sword was placed flat across his neck, keeping him still.

"You can help…by coming quietly."

"Never!" Arthur snarled, bringing his knee up and firmly kicking the man. As the guard dropped with a muffled curse, Arthur jumped past him and took off down the corridor, determined to get as far away as possible. This was possible the proof that he needed in order to go to his father, this was what he required in order to get Merlin out. But he never made it to the end of the corridor as his attacker regained his wits far quicker than Arthur anticipated. He didn't even see the man move until a hand caught his ankle and brought him crashing down to the floor.

Although Arthur immediately rolled, the man had moved. In one swift movement, he straddled the prince, resting his sword against his neck once again.

"You don't give up, I'll give you that."

"Let me go!" Arthur yelled, causing the man to instantly place his hand over Arthur's mouth. He leant forward, forcing more of his weight onto Arthur and the prince bucked wildly, panic flooding him as too many bad memories resurfaced at the contact. His fear was clouding his judgement though, and he was so worried about getting the man off him that he didn't feel as he was rolled over, his hands pulled behind his back and tied. It was only when a piece of material was wedged in between his teeth and caused him to choke did Arthur take note of what was going on.

The guard climbed off him, but yanked him to his feet by the back of his collar. Arthur had to scramble in order to make it into an upright position even as he was being pulled down the corridor. He just hoped that the guard didn't know his way around the castle well enough and would try and take one of the main routes. There was no way someone could march the Crown Prince through the corridors like this and get away with it. But yet again, his hopes were dashed as the man pulled back a tapestry. Arthur knew the passageway was there, but he wasn't sure how many others. As he was forced into it – his attacker climbing in after him and letting the cloth fall back into place, he had a feeling that there would be no way out of this. The winding passage came out right by Acrotus' rooms.

Sure enough, the guard was soon glancing around anxiously before shoving Arthur in between his shoulder blades and forcing him into Acrotus' room. It took all of his strength to push Arthur to his knees and hold him there when the prince caught sight of his servant, hanging motionless from the wall.

"Where's the other?"

"There was a complication, Sire. The prince killed him." Arthur let out a muffled protest as Acrotus came into view, the man's hand running a long finger down Arthur's cheek and smirking in satisfaction as he tried to pull away.

"He shall be punished for that. You may go."

"Thank you mi'lord." The man hastily bowed and retreated and Acrotus leant forward, teasing the gag out of Arthur's mouth.

"You had to try and go to your father, didn't you?"

"Let Merlin go."

"No. But I will wake him up, however." Arthur was pulled backwards, the end of the rope binding his hands looped around the table leg and holding him fast. Acrotus pulled out a small bottle from his pocket, walked over to Merlin and proceeded to empty the contents into the boy's mouth. He held his hand over the warlock's mouth and nose as Merlin instinctively swallowed. But Arthur felt his breath catch in his throat as Merlin suddenly yelled, his eyes flying open as he fought against the chains. It was clear that he was in pain, but when he fell still, panting, Arthur was pleased to see that there was the utmost hatred and fury in his eyes.

It seemed Merlin had figured out who Acrotus truly was as well.

"Let him go." Merlin growled, refusing to make eye contact with Arthur.

"Funny, he said the same thing about you. I am truly sorry, Merlin, but he belongs to me now. I can't let him go any more than I can let you go. Arthur is mine."

"Arthur is mine!" Merlin yelled, and the prince was sure that he felt something of a breeze stirring the room. He didn't even have time to react to Merlin's sudden possessiveness before the warlock's head fell forward, panting again.

"You know that won't work, I've stopped you."

"No…" This time, Merlin's voice came out as more of a moan, and Arthur knew that his servant was thinking the same thing as him. They were trapped. Like this, neither of them had a way out, and he just hoped that someone would notice that he was missing. But who would think to look here, no one even knew that he was back from the hunt yet.

"What do you want from us?" Despite being on his knees and tied to the table, Arthur still sounded every inch the prince as he glared defiantly up at the man who had made his life hell. Acrotus smirked, walking over and gripping his hair tightly. Tears sprung to Arthur's eyes as his head was wrenched back, but he refused to lower his gaze.

"Merlin over there is a complicated story that you won't understand, so you don't worry your pretty little head about him. But what I want from you? I think you know that, Arthur. You were sold to me, you belong to me. And I want you to start acting like the submissive slave that I know you are rather than this defiant prince." Arthur swallowed hard and tried to shrink back as Acrotus reached into his pocket and pulled out a phial.

"No! No, leave him alone, please." Acrotus looked down at Arthur, almost seeming to raise his eyebrows in amusement before bending down. In one swift movement, he drew his dagger and sliced a corner of Arthur's shirt off before straightening up again. Merlin didn't have time to even think of protesting further before the piece of material was being wedged between his teeth, effectively gagging him.

"Leave him alone." Arthur muttered, his hands twisting in their restraints. He had no idea what Acrotus was planning to do, but he did know what the man was capable of. He couldn't let Merlin be put through that, he simply couldn't. Acrotus scoffed.

"You two really are mirrors of each other, aren't you? No." Merlin let out a muffled protest as Acrotus brought the knife back to Arthur, slicing a shallow cut into his arm without so much as blinking. Arthur jerked back, not so much from the pain but from the realisation he knew what was in the phial that was yet again back in the man's hand. It was the same poison that had effectively killed him when Merlin had first got him out of the prison. Bound or not, it wouldn't matter. He was Acrotus' prisoner – for he knew full well what happened if he didn't receive the antidote.

"Welcome home, little prince." Acrotus snarled, tipping the phial over Arthur's cut and causing the prince's vision to go white as the poison sunk into his system. He didn't even hear Merlin's muffled sounds of anger followed by a snarl of pain as the warlock tried to free himself. The only thing he was aware of was that he was being untied from the table. After that, everything went completely blank for Arthur as the poison yet again dragged him into unconsciousness.